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Surprisingly, Francine shook her head. “I wasn’t lying when I told you the sorts of crimes that Trask and my father were involved in. Sex trafficking of minors was a big one. They killed a bunch of them in San Antonio to keep them from testifying. That’s why I went to Trask in the first place. I wanted to nail him. I didn’t care about the money or the commission he might pay. I just don’t want them to hurt any more kids.”
Gibson sat back, looking conflicted.
Francine noted this and said, “I’m a bad person, Mickey. I’ve committed crimes. I’ve hurt people. But…I don’t like men who do shit to kids and get away with it.”
“It took iron balls to voluntarily go in and meet with that psycho,” said Gibson. “When his goons snatched me I’ve never been more afraid in my life.”
“I guess my only advantage is, I’ve had to deal with psychos my whole life, with my father being the predominate one. After a while, the fear is still there, but it’s no longer paralyzing.”
“Sam Trask told me you had been by to see him, as a podiatrist.”
“He’s a very nice man. I have no idea how his son ended up the way he did.”
“He also suggested that we work together to get this done.”
“Nathan Trask is very dangerous. And you have two little kids. I never should have let you go near the man. Look,you’regoing to walk away. Youhaveto walk away. Now. I’ll get the guy or die trying. And rest assured, no one will miss me if I get killed.”
“I will.”
Gibson let that statement hang out there for a few moments as the women locked gazes.
“You can’t mean that. After all I’ve done to you.”
“My father taught me to not judge someone unless I’ve walked in their shoes. I don’t know anyone who’s walked inyourshoes. Yeah, I’m pissed at what you’ve done to me. But…you risked your life to take some really bad people down. As a former cop that counts with me.”
Francine said, “But you’ve already got a job. And you should go back to doing it, starting right now. But you have my word that I will die before I let them hurt you or your kids.” She glanced at the photo of Tommy and Darby again. “You have no reason to believe me, I know, but that is the truth.”
“FYI, I got fired from ProEye. Now that I know about Beckett, I think he was the asshole who made it happen. And you know me, Francine, from way back. I don’t give up. From what I know about you, you’re the same as me.”
“What exactly are you saying, Mickey?”
“Sam Trask thought we might be a stronger force working together than separately. Why don’t we find out if he’s right?”
CHAPTER69
THE MEDICAL TRANSPORT VAN PULLEDaway from The Feathers senior living community with four passengers in it.
Sam Trask had on a suit jacket and pleated slacks, and he absently read a newspaper as the van rolled along. His rollator was parked in the back, along with a wheelchair for another passenger. He carried a portable oxygen supply with him. The passengers would be picked back up at designated spots and at prearranged times.
Trask, for his part, was looking forward to seeing a movie for the first time in a while, inside a real movie theater while munching on popcorn. He glanced out the window. If he noted the black SUV following behind, he made no sign.
He was the third one to be dropped off. Using his rollator he walked inside the theater, bought his ticket and his small bag of popcorn, and made his way to his show. The black SUV parked across the street and a man got out, hustled over to the theater, bought a ticket, searched each of the interior theaters until he saw Trask sitting by himself and munching popcorn. There were a few other patrons scattered around as the lights went down. The man checked this all out and left.
As soon as Gibson saw the man leave, she scooted over next to Trask, while Francine did the same on the other side. Trask offered them popcorn, which they both accepted.
“The big bad wolf is gone, I take it,” said Trask.
“I guess your son’s muscle aren’t into movies,” said Gibson.
“I’m glad you took my advice and teamed up, ladies,” he said.
“We’re still feeling our way,” said Gibson, glancing at Francine, who stared straight ahead. “And we might fall right on our faces.”
Francine said, “Or we might not. Okay, the plan is, I’m going to deliver the goods to your son.”
“Then you’ll need the goods to deliver.”
“That’s where you and your people come in,” she said. “He wants his money back. Fifty million dollars is what he told me when we met. A drop in the bucket to a guy like him, but it’s not the money.”
